Lawyers down tools

Members of the Law Society of Lesotho has from today boycotted all court sessions to give way for the negotiations that are expected to find a lasting solution to the current problem at the Court of Appeal and the Magistrate Courts.

Addressing members of the press during a press conference held at the High Court premises on Monday, the society’s Vice-President Advocate Lehlohonolo Matee said the society is surprised by the recent indefinite suspension of the Court of Appeal where the country’s apex court has been brought to a complete halt because of lack of enough funds to allow its sessions to be held.

He explained that members of the society met yesterday morning to discuss this issue and how it affects them and voted and decided that from today until April 24, 2019 all members of the society will boycott all court sessions from the Directorate of Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR) to the High Court.

Another member of the society Advocate Rethabile Setlojoane added that the expectation is that all stakeholders being the Acting Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and the Acting Registrar of the High Court and Court of Appeal will meet from today to discuss this issue and find a lasting solution.

He also conceded that the society made a harsh decision but commented it was made after careful deliberations and society holds a view that it is the best decision given the circumstances.